5 litter box tips to keep your cat happy

Sandra DeFeo has been Executive Director of the Humane Society of New York since 1993. As Executive Director, Sandra oversees all aspects of the Societys programs, including hospital, shelter operations and public outreach.

If your cat avoids the litter box he might be telling you to move it

Cats can be very particular about their litter boxes! It is important to cats to have a designated area for their “toilet”. So knowing where to place the litter box for your cat(s), what kind of litter to use, how many boxes there should be, etc., are all very important decisions for you to make in order to keep your beloved feline companion happy.

Check out the 5 litter box tips below and remember, if your cat is displeased in any way with their litter box situation, they will let you know by not using it!

1. Shh!

To begin, you will want to find a quiet place that gives your cat a little privacy. Though laundry rooms or basements seem like good places for litter boxes because they are out-of-the-way, loud noises like washing machines and other appliances can make a cat nervous. This will ultimately force them to find an alternative place to relieve themselves outside of their litter box.

2. What’s the temperature?

You will also want to consider temperature when designating a site for your cat’s litter box. Anything that can make your cat uncomfortable, like a cold damp basement or a hot boiler room might also deter your feline friend from going to that spot. Heat will also amplify odor and cats will not go where they think it is too dirty.

3. Location, location, location

Cats have a heightened sense of smell and they do not want the aroma of the litter box wafting through the air where they are eating or sleeping. You will want to make sure that the location of your cat’s litter box is not next to where they eat, drink or sleep.

For this reason, you will also want to think about helping to control litter box odors with the type of litter you buy. ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter is a great option; the MicroGuard™ technology seals and destroys immediate odor and prevents the growth of future bacterial odors for 7-day odor control, guaranteed. Even after you scoop, bacterial odor can keep growing; however, heavy-duty odor eliminators plus ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda destroy immediate odors on contact, helping to keep you and your cat’s noses happy.

4. Multiple litter boxes

If you have one cat who has problems with using her/his litter box, and you have determined with your veterinarian that there are no medical issues, try adding another litter box. Some cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in another. Also, some cats will not use a litter box unless it is cleaned, so in case you miss the moment they use the box, there is another clean one that can be used.

If you have multiple cats in the home, it is essential to have a litter box for each cat and maybe one extra. You certainly do not want your cat companion to urinate or defecate outside of their litter box because the only litter box in the home is in use.

Lastly, if you have a big house that your kitty(s) roams around, you will also want to think about putting litter boxes on more than one floor or location so that they can get there when they need to go and not go somewhere else because the litter box is too far away.

5. The litter

Finally, what type of cat litter you use is just as important as the location, because if your cat doesn’t like the litter, they won’t use the litter box.

Another benefit to using ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter is that it is made with fine micro-particles, so your cat will love the soft feel on his/her paws. Speaking to cat owners here at the Humane Society of New York, we have found that in general, cats prefer the fine-grained litters, perhaps because they have a soft feel like soil.

The MicroGuard™ formula also helps to create rock solid clumps. No crumbly clumps means your cat can more easily push aside the litter after they do their business. Rock solid clumps also make for easier scooping. Win-win.

Finding the right location for your cat’s litter box and using the right product in the box, like ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter, will keep you and your beloved kitty happy! Because let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with outside-the-litter-box surprises.